Rangers 5, Astros 4
W: Burns (1-0)
L: Bedard (3-5)
The Astros lost another interminably long AL messterpiece yesterday, squandering numerous opportunities along the way. “We had some chances offensively, we just weren’t able to come up with the big hit,” Porter said after Houston was 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.
That was part of the reason but far from all of it, as the desperate Astros turned two hit-and-run plays into strikeout/throwout double plays to end innings. Altuve committed an error on a routine play in the fifth, letting Kinsler on so he later could score the winning run.
The Rangers were careless and nonchalant throughout, never burying Houston but seemingly confident that they’d win regardless of their lackadaisical play and casual errors. This turned out to be true, which stings all the more.
Krauss did get his first home run, a two-run shot in the second. Bedard pitched well after a shaky start, lasting 6 1/3 and only allowing five hits. Adding five walks made it much less productive, but in the AL most games are like beer league softball and the pinballesque scoring has a different meaning.